An evening with the co-founder of The Whisky Exchange – Sukhinder Singh – is truly memorable. And naturally, in additional to a fabulous meal, walking and talking with family and friends, the evening also included Whisky!

Our tasting took place at their warehouse, in an exceptional board room surrounded wall to wall with exceptional and unique whiskies. Sukhinder selected an array of different styles, vintages, cask types to explore a diverse array of interesting drams The Whisky Exchange is helping bring to our palates.

We were also introduced to a new tasting glass – 1920s professional whisky blenders – designed to concentrate aromas and flavours.

After starting with a Glen Elgin, Glenburgie and Undisclosed 45 year blend, we moved on to three quite contrasting whiskies. I will fully admit to taking scant notes, focused more on enjoying the experience! So please consider what follows more a ‘teaser’ than true tasting notes…

Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu On The Way (2019) Cask 2089 51.5% Bottle 8543 of 11000

We shifted gears completed and left behind Scotland to explore the far east.

I’ve had some interesting experiences with Chichibu – particularly a young French Oak  cask strength expression that I brought back from a trip to Tokyo many years ago.

This one did not disappoint – fruity on the nose – particularly banana, pineapple – it also had a pronounced coconut quality. And dare I say thyme? Or something with quite a honeyed herbal dimension. We also enjoyed the nice spice on the palate – still fruity with enough other things going on to make it interesting.

Interested in reading more? Check out the TWE blog.

Glentauchers 22 year (23 July 1997 / 29 Aug 2019) Bourbon Cask No 4163 46.6% (Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky / Signatory Vintage 20th Anniversary for The Whisky Exchange) 125 Bottles

Next up was a Glentauchers ex-bourbon cask. This one was quite herbaceous, malty, a bit hot, fall leaves…

Alas I could not find this exactly bottle however there is a Signatory of a similar vintage available for GBP 135.

Ben Nevis 23 year  (21 Oct 1996 / 1 Nov 2019) Sherry Butt Cask No 1479 52.7% (Highlands Single Malts of Scotland) 405 Bottles

I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest Ben Nevis fan, however I’m always game to explore!

This one was bursting with character on the nose and quite savoury, tangy with sweet oil on the palate. Certainly a dram of substance.

What do the folks over at TWE have to say?

A 1996 Ben Nevis single malt from indie bottler Elixir Distillers, matured in a single hogshead for more than two decades before being bottled in November 2019 as part of its Single Malts of Scotland series. Aromas of grapefruit, orange marmalade, caramel and beeswax fill the nose, with earthy, dusty undertones. The palate offers notes of fresh oak, eucalyptus, tangy citrus and tropical fruits.

What else did we try in our special evening with Sukhinder Singh? A whopping 10 whiskies! Check them out from the links below:

• Glen Elgin 21 year (2007/2020) 48% (SMoS)
• Glenburgie 21 year (1998/2019) Cask 90887 59.4% (SMoS)
• Speyside Blended 45 year (1973/2019) 45.1%
• Inchmurrin 9 year (2010/2019) Cask 2493 55.3%
• Port Askaig 12 year (Summer 2020) 45.8%
• Peat & Sweet 55.2% (Elements of Islay)
• Ballechin 15 year 55% (TWE 20th Anniversary)

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